PLACE PREVIEW - PIES BOOSTED BY KEY INCLUSIONS

PIES BOOSTED WITH BIG INCLUSIONS FOR FIRST HOME MATCH AGAINST GRANGE

The Western Magpies will be looking to go 3-0 when they welcome old rivals Wilston-Grange at Chelmeron Saturday for the Pies first home game of the season.

Magpie supporters are excited at the manner of the club’s first 2 victories and they are playing an spectator friendly and fast moving brand of football. Most importantly, so far it has proven a winning brand of footy as well!

In comes Redlands listed Jack Goodall to centre half back, Charlie Pershouse back from Lions Academy duties to slot into centre half forward, and youngsters Lachie Dennis back in after uni exams and Dom Misso has overcome a thigh injury, both to slot into the midfield.  

Goodall had a purple patch for the Pies this time last year and then spent the rest of the year in the Redlands team, while Pershouse set the house on fire in round 1 against Mt Gravatt and adds height to the Pies forward line.

With Liam Dwyer the Pies forward line is taller than last week and with Jake De Winter (QAFL Syd Guilford nominee for Round 2) on fire with goal hauls of 5 and 7 in the first two rounds, the Pies forward line now looks quite potent. With Brenton Saunders also in good form and Drew Mitchell pushing forward the Pies have some strike power with class in the air and at ground level.  

Young ruckman Aaron Highlands has slipped into the big man role seamlessly and with the engine room of Gareth Crawford, Ben Jaenke Cain, Brodie Easton and Val Pope purring along nicely the Pies should win plenty of midfield possession.

David Lewis and Tom Ielasi have been in superb form in the first 2 rounds and with Goodall form a strong and rebounding half back line. Behind them, new recruit Harry Marshall has blended in nicelyand has formed a good team with livewire back pocket Luke Mitchell.

The Pies under new coach Brydan Morgan are playing an exciting brand of football with quick ball movement and with De Winter in scintillating form, both in the air and at ground level and options in Pershouse and Pope up forward, the Magpies have the firepower to overcome the Gorillas.

Grange are 1-1 and with ex-Magpie coach Nathan Clarke at the helm  will be well preparedand primed for a big effort against the Pies. Anything less than 100% from the Magpies could open the door for the visitors and this is a message Morgan will have reinforced to his side

A big crowd is expected for a great days football, the first at Chelmer this season.

Western Magpies v Wilston Grange at Chelmer on Saturday, May 6th  at 2 pm

B: Aaron Maricic, Harry Marshall, Luke Mitchell

HB: Tom Ielasi, Jack Goodall, David Lewis,

C: Val Pope, Ben Jaenke-Cain, Chris Hunt

HF:  Matt Davis, Charlie Pershouse, Liam Dwyer

F: Drew Mitchell, Jake De Winter, Brenton Saunders  

Rucks: Aaron Highlands, Gareth Crawford

Rover: Lachie Dennis

I/C: Brodie Easton, Rory Johnson, Dom Misso, Logan Murray

Emerg: Ethan Sivijs